Technology Development Program Completed for CIRCM Program

May 20 20152015-05-20T02:00:00+02:00

Marks key milestone in the competition for the U.S. Army’s Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) program.

BAE Systems has successfully completed a key milestone in the competition for the U.S. Army’s Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) program. This achievement, known as the Technology Development Bridge Program, further positions the company as a reliable provider of lightweight, low-cost, and modular laser-based aircraft protection systems to protect U.S. Army aircraft from infrared guided missiles. The 12-month, $11 million undertaking was awarded by the U.S. Army to enable further development following the two-year CIRCM technology demonstration (TD) phase.

“Closely aligned with the U.S. Army's goals of providing high performance, agile, reliable, and best value solutions, we stand ready to deliver the next-generation aircraft survivability equipment to our brave armed forces,” said Terry Crimmins, vice president and general manager of Survivability and Targeting Solutions at BAE Systems. “Our CIRCM solution is based on a non-commercially available, organic, robust, and highly secure laser technology that is unique and maximizes the use of the U.S. industrial base. Working closely with the U.S. Army we have collectively delivered a model product that has reduced Engineering Manufacturing and Development risks significantly, and is adaptable for the ever changing threat environment.”

During this bridge program, BAE Systems implemented an action plan designed to ensure that the reliability performance the Army realized in its current missile warning system, BAE Systems’ Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) and current laser-based Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) system, will also be realized on CIRCM.

To accomplish this goal, the team utilized its significant experience and expertise gained from developing the U.S. Army’s current laser-based infrared countermeasure system, ATIRCM. Installed on mission critical U.S. Army helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2009, ATIRCM has, according to the latest Army reports, surpassed the Army reliability requirement several times over. The ATIRCM system, which has been credited with saving aircraft and troops from infrared-guided missile attacks in theater, has demonstrated how delivering this level of reliability can significantly reduce the total ownership cost of the system while ensuring mission readiness.

BAE Systems was awarded an initial contract in 2012 to compete in the CIRCM TD phase and submitted its Engineering Manufacturing and Development (EMD) proposal in November 2014. Later this year, the Army plans to award a 26-month contract for the EMD, and delivery of 21 CIRCM systems.